Google Search

Google Search – key to a good search is getting results in the very 1st result!

- I’m Feeling Lucky!
- Web, Images, Maps;
- Quick and Easy Google presentation - thanks to Cheryl Davis, Kathleen Ferenz, and Lucy Gray!
- Scavenger Hunt



Selecting Search Terms:

Use words likely to turn up on your pages!


Avoid Using a Question for your search.
Use: [ lasik eye surgery ]
Not: [ documentation on lasik eye surgery ]
Use: [ jobs teaching elementary Lancaster PA ]
Not: [ listing of elementary teaching job openings in Lancaster PA ]


Be Specific:
Use: [ Java Indonesia; Java coffee; java programming ]
Not: [ java ]
Use: [ Tom Watson golf ]
Not: [ Tom Watson ] might get the IBM or Parliament guys


Be Brief:
Use: [ quit smoking program ]
Not: [ program on quitting tobacco cigarette smoking addiction ]


Spelling isn’t always necessary:
Try [ Ana Kornikova tenis ]


Calculator: Use it as a basic or advanced calculator!




Search Operators: power-up your searching!

“quote” operator searches for the exact phrase

site: operator searchs in a specific site or class of sites
[ Office site:Microsoft.com ]

+ operator includes special terms like stop words
[ Star Wars+I ] would include I even though it’s stop word

- operator excludes terms
[ dolphins –football ]

~ operator finds synonyms
[ ~lightweight laptop ]


OR operator specifies synonyms or alternative forms
[ bicycle OR cycle ]

[ filter OR stop “junk email“ OR spam ]

.. operator is a range of things like numbers 1..50
[ bicycle $250..$500 ]


* operator is a wildcard for full words, not partial words
[ John L * +Lancaster, PA ]



Google Scholar: search for scholarly articles, thesis, dissertations;

Google Custom Search: create your own custom search engine! under EVEN MORE option


After a search find these on the left column:


  • Wonderwheel: graphic organizer view
  • Timeline: creates a timeline view




Resources and Exercises:




Thanks to Nancy Blachman from GoogleGuide.com!
For more tips, tricks, & examples, visit www.GoogleGuide.com.
By Nancy Blachman, Tasha Bergson-Michelson, & Jerry Peek who don't work for Google.